As many of the nations top football players made their decisions final regarding which college team they will be playing for next year, one of the key players on the 2012 Portland Division 5 state championship team also finalized his future plans.

Raider senior Dylan Carroll signed his national letter of intent Wednesday afternoon to take his talents to Grand Valley State University next fall.

In his annual recruiting class press conference, Laker coach Matt Mitchell said Carroll has the skills he looks for in a defensive end.

"(Carroll) is a very physical player and he has a great family that I enjoyed getting to know," he said. "He is the type of kid we want anchoring or defense out on the edge."

For Carroll, being able to continue his football career at the next level is something he said he has always wanted to do.

"It's always been my dream to play college football," he said. "I have worked so hard and now my dream is finally coming true.

"I'm thrilled to be going to GVSU. I really like the coaches and their athletic facilities. The campus is really nice and everyone I met there was really friendly.

Carroll was a key player on both sides of the ball for the Portland football team this season. Not only was he one of the leading tacklers on the defense, but also made the move to guard from tight end, helping a Raider offense that averaged 35.7 points per game.

Along with GVSU, Carroll was also recruited by Central Michigan University, Ferris State University, Michigan Technological University and Butler University.

Other college signings

Carroll isn't the only student-athlete from an Ionia County to sign with a collegiate team.

Lakewood senior Olivia Davis will be playing volleyball this fall at Kalamazoo Valley College. Davis was a 2012 Class B All-State second team selection as she helped the Vikings earn the first state title in program history.

Portland senior golfer Becca Snyder singed her NLI on Friday to play for Spring Arbor University next year. Snyder will be joining Ionia senior Lauren Fuller as part of the SAU women's golf 2013 signing class. Fuller signed with the Cougars in December. Snyder was a first-team member of the 2012 All-Ionia County Girls Golf team.

According to Pewamo-Westphalia volleyball coach Lauren Iszler, senior Madison Smith has verbally committed to play at Alma College next year. Smith was a first-team member of the 2012 Class C All-State team.